Ignition lock switch



April 6, 1929. G. P. ENNIS ET AL 1,709,008

IGNITION LOCK SWITCH Filed July 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Georyefilzzzzzb, z/on l. Wall/ 02a,

WITNES: ATTORNEY A ril 16, 1929. e. P. ENNIS ET AL IGNITION LOCK SWITCH Filed July 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet AI IORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE P. ENNIS AND JOHN C. WALTON, SYCAMORE, OHIO.

IGNITION LOCK SWITCH.

Application filed m 11, 1925. Serial m. 42,094.

This invention relates to lock switches designed for use in connection w th automobiles and the like and has for 1ts ob ect the provision of a novel device formed as a switch interposed between the storage battery of the car and the starter and embodying a lock mechanism whereby the device may be locked to cut off the supply of current to the starter and ignition system for preventin theft of the car or other unauthorize use.

An important object is the provis on of a switch device of this character whlch embodies means whereby when the current 15 cut off to the i nition system and starter, current will yetie supplied to the l ghts so that they may be energized as for instance when the caris parked at night.

Another object of the invention 1s to provide a switch device of this character which is well ada ted to be mounted upon the floor of the car in proximity to either the storage battery or in proximity to the starter button whereby a direct connection may be made,

the mounting at this particular point being of advantage in view of accessibility for effecting locking and unlocking of the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which in addition to preventing theft or unauthorized use of the car will act to prevent fires caused by short circuit inasmuch as suitable fuses are interposed in the connection to the hghting system.

An additional object is the PIOVlllOIl of a lock switch of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to install and operate, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, and the arrangement and combination of parts to be herein- 4,5v after more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the floor of a vehicle showing the storage battery and starter button and illustrating the lock switch in applied position.-

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Fi 'e 4 is a sectlon taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail view with the lock valve removed and Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the movable contact carrying device. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates a portion of the floor of an automobile upon which is mounted the starter button B carrying the usual blndlng posts C and D, and E represents the storage battery having the usual terminal post F.

In carrying out the invention we provide a casing 10 preferably of circular or cylindrical shape and constructed of an suitable material and of any desired size e ending upon the preference of the manu acturer. This casing 10 is intended to be mounted upon the underside of the floor board A and 1s provided with a removable cover portion 11, both the casing and the cover contacting along an outstanding flange 12 formed on the former. Any desired means, such as screws or bolts indicated at 13 may be provided for securing the casing upon the underside of the floor, these bolts of course passing through the flange 12 as well as the cover 11. The cover portion 11 is formed with an upstanding cylindrical hollow projection 14 which projects through a suitable opening 15 in the floor board so as to provide means for access to the lock mechanism contained within the device. Located within this hollow projection 14 is the lock structure which includes a suitable barrel 16 containing the specific lock mechanism, not shown, adapted to be operated by means of a suitable key 17 insertable through the top of the hollow projection 14.

Rotatably mounted within the casing 10, preferably at the center thereof is a rotatable member 18 formed of suitable insulating material and consisting preferably of a pair of sections having clamps between them, by means of rivets 19 or the like, a plate or disk 20 of metal formed at spaced points with outstanding lugs 21, 22 and 23 for a purpose to be described/ This member 18 is formed at its top with a cylindrical extension 24 having notches 25 in its sides engageable by depending elements 26 of the lock mechanism whereby the member 18 may be rotated when the key 17 is turned in one direction or the other. It is intended that means he provided for limiting the turning movement of the key to an arc of ninety degrees, and for this reason the bottom of the lock mechanism is shown as equipped with 21 depending pin 27 operating within an arcuate slot 28. The type of lock employed is preferably one in which it 1s imposslble to retract the key when the device 18 unlocked. It should be stated that at its underside the member 18 is provided with a boss or projection 29 rotatably engaged within a seat or socket 29 in the bottom of the cas ing 10.

Mounted within the casing at one side thereof is a contact 30 formed preferably from a length of cylindrical tubing having.

one end'closed except for a hole through which passes a securing bolt 31 equipped with nuts 32 and 33 engaging against suit able insulating bushings or washers 34. A terminal number 35 is screwed onto the projecting outer end of the bolt member and is suitably connected with a cable 36 connected with the terminal F of the storage battery. The contact member 30 is split and is formed to provide portions 37 which are located close together and adapted to receive the contact lug 21 or 22 as will be explained.

Located within the casing at a point diametrically opposite the contact 30 is a similar contact 38 held in place by a bolt 39 carrying nuts 40 and 41 engaging against suita le insulating bushings or washers 42 and carrying a terminal 43 of a cable 44 which connects with the binding post D of the starter button mechanism. The contact 38 includes spaced portions 45 adapted to receive the lug 23.

Mounted within the casing at a point intermediate the contacts 30 and 38 is a similar contact 46 carrying a fuse holder 47 within which is located a suitable fuse 48 and with which is connected a conductor 49 leading to the lighting system of the car.

In order to provide supporting means for the cable 44 we have shown the casing 10 as formed or otherwise provided with an outstanding bracket 50 having a sleeve portion 51 thereon through which the cable 44 extends. It may also be preferable to provide screws 52 passing through the bracket 50 and into the floor board of the car for the purpose of more securely anchoring the device inplace.

In the operation, it will be seen that when the key 17 is in place and is turned so as to extend longitudinally of the axis of the car, the rotary member 18 will be in such position that the lug 21 will enga e the contact 30 while the lug 23 engages t e contact 38. Current mag then be supplied to the ignition system of t e car and to the starter button mechanism B, as will be readily apparent. When the owner or operator of the car leaves it parked and wishes to protect the car not only a ainst theft but also against possibility of re, it is merely necessary that he turn the key 17' into its other positlon and withdraw it from the lock mechanism. When this is done; the contact lug 21 disengages the contact 30 and moves into engagement with the contact 46, while the contact 22 will move into engagement with the contact 30. Obviously this breaks the circuit to the ignition system and starter of the car while making the circuit to the lighting system. The parking lamp or other light on the car may then be left burning while it will be impossible to start the car. As current cannot at this time be supplied to the starter and ignition system it IS obvious that the car cannot be stolen or taken by an unauthorized person. Furthermore, owing to the fact that the storage battery is connected directly with the lighting system and also owing to the fact that a suitable fuse of proper capacity is interposed in this circuit it is clear that there will be no danger of fire such as might be the case if the storage battery were connected through to the ignition system as is the customary practice.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing, it will be apparent that we have thus provided a very simple and easily installed and operated device for the purpose specified which will be a great safeguard to motorists in protecting their cars against fire and theft. It is be lieved that the construction, operation and advantages will be thorou hly a parent to one skilled in the art without rther explanation.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that we reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, we claim l. A switch device of the character described, comprising a metallic casing, said casing having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted upon and insulated from the casing and extending radially thereinto, a rotary member journaled centrally of said chamber and having key actuated means for turning the same, said rotary member including sections of insulating material, one of which is journaled in the bottom of the casing and the other of which is journaled in the top thereof, and a metal disk secured betweensaid sections and having a plurality of radial fingers thereon adapted to cooperate with said stationary contacts.

2. A switch of the character described, comprising a' casin having a cylindrical chamber therein an a removable top, the bottom of the casing having a step bearing therein, a plurality of stationary contacts secured to and insulated from the casing and extending radially there into and into the chamber, and a rotary key 0 erated member located centrally of said 0 amber and including sections of insulating material, one section having a reduced projection at its bottom journally received Within said step bearings and the other section having a cylindrical extension thereon journaled thru a corresponding hole in said top, and a metallic disk secured between said insulating 30 sections and having a plurality of radial fingers adapted to be brought into engagement with stationary contacts.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

GEORGE P. ENNIS. JUHN C. WALTQN. 

